The Book Barn

You start in one barn, then realize there are paths, sheds, rooms, and outbuildings everywhere. They hand you a map, which sounds excessive but I stared at it for several minutes trying to figure out where to go. What impressed me most was how organized everything felt despite the scale. Sections actually make sense, shelves are labeled, and you can wander without feeling like you are digging through chaos. Pricing is great too. I kept pulling books thinking I would narrow it down later, and somehow still walked out with an armful without feeling irresponsible. The selection is broad without being dusty or sad. Newer releases mixed in with older paperbacks, art books next to cookbooks, random surprises everywhere. There are goats roaming around and a couple of cats who seem fully aware they are part of the charm. If I had one minor complaint, some of the outbuildings get a little tight when it is busy, and browsing can feel cramped. Still, that did not slow me down much. I already know I will be back, probably with a bigger tote next time.

This is like heaven for book lovers. Fun and funky, there are all kinds of books and other areas for used books. They said they bring in 10-15,000 books per week. It is very easy to peruse for hours. All the staff were very helpful. Thoroughly enjoyable. If I lived closer, this place would be a "dangerous habit"....Thank you again

This is the Main st. location - there are two more buildings / locations of the Book Barn. They have a cozy little village type area in an outdoor setting to browse through, and then a very large selection inside. Books are sorted by genre, but it can still be overwhelming to find anything specific due to the sheer volume. (Over 500,000 books between the 3 locations!) They also have a goat pen at this location!

What an amazing place! Such a unique and wonderful experience; bookstore is both outdoor & indoor. The outdoor property is like a mini village; quaint gardens, benches, children friendly areas, goats, fish, turtles, beautiful flowers! Inside is two levels packed with every category of book one could desire. Staff are so helpful & kind, prices are excellent, & you can also donate your books! Definitely a must if you’re in the area!

I loved this place! We had such a pleasant experience here. They have thousands of books to choose from, all used but some were basically new! The pricing was great for a used bookstore, they even had a $1 book section. They also have goats on the property and it seemed like a great place to bring your kids too, there were a lot of playground sets. We were there for an hour and I was able to find great books! I got 4 or 5 books for $12 (One was a brand new or lightly used hardcover). I highly recommend checking this place out.

I enjoyed my experience at the book barn. Be prepared to take your time browsing if you are not looking for something specific. My husband inquired about a specific title and we were sent to one of their other stores but they didn't have the book either. We ended up going to all three of their stores to find it with no luck. The downtown store as a better selection of preteen/teen books so if you're looking for that, I would start there.

Very child friendly. Friendly staff that are responsive, it felt so safe. My kids loved it. Stellar selection and cute $5 canvas totes were sold. My oldest asked if we could come back here, we got ice cream, went to the boardwalk, but she specifically asked about the bookstore as we drove back to Route 1. The 40 minute drive was worth it, I will bring them here again. All my books were $1 each, the cheapest part of the day trip to Niantic was their favorite part.

Great place to walk around and browse. Plenty of books for every genre. They have farm animals as well as a cat to look at. Parking can be tight but they had attendants directing you to free spots.

A really cute large outdoor bookstore with little houses and barns with all different types of books inside of them. Most of the books are $4-$5 but they also have a huge dollar section which isn't organized. They have a very good movie selection as well. The staff was very helpful and we loved it there. One of the best book stores we've ever been to. A+

An actual book village out of Lord of the Rings that deserves its own zip code. It's even got goats! Walk into tiny cottages with different themes, teeming with used books across sports, wars, drama, fiction, children's, dogs, sewing, you name it. The most charming, unique, and whimsical bookshops I've ever seen. 5 stars!!!!

The Book Barn is the absolute best book store in Connecticut! They have over 500,000 used books across multiple locations conveniently located along one road. I love getting to go there any time I'm in the area.

I have this weird habit of buying Nancy Drew books in every state I go so Connecticut was no different. I yelped local bookstores and this place came highly recommended. Honestly every book lovers dream. I could spend hours, days weeks exploring this place and probably never be done. I drove here on a Monday afternoon. Not busy at all. Located in the small city of Niantic. They have 3 locations with this one being the main one. It's pretty east to spot off the main street. Huge parking lot adjacent to it. And it is an actual barn. They give you a pamphlet upon arrival with a guide to how to navigate upon this huge property. The barn is 3 floors. Apart from that, the outside has small kind shacks loaded with books. There's a garden, goats, chess tables, games, little cars for kids to drive. Honestly everything you can think of. Staff were super friendly and super helpful. Pricing on books is very reasonable. They have both new and used books. They buy books.

The largest bookstore in New England! They have endless amounts of books from each building in the main Book Barn property. The bookshelves are organized, the petting zoo is nice with some farm animals lurking around, and a playscape for the little ones. I like this store because I love reading and we stop there every once in a long while whenever we're down in the shoreline.

Wow. As a book lover, I was overjoyed to see such an expansive collection of books of all genres set across a beautiful landscape property. The property is very picturesque with not only books, but animals- goats and a resident friendly cat- table games, unique artwork and pretty greenery. Definitely can spend several hours poking around the grounds. Staff was also very polite and friendly.

I loved visiting the Book Barn. It's eclectic, fun, and very punny. The wagons are a lovely touch because you will end up with way more books than you expect to get. If you love books, you gotta get yourself here!

There's really no going wrong if you're looking to get a solid selection of cheap books. It's an experience and you could spend hours there. There are plenty of little sections of book categories-- mystery, new arrivals, young adult, children's books. So many options! The staff are efficient and help you get around if you need it. There are little random pockets of things for kids-- a small playground with a playhouse, little cars, etc. A super cute spot for a date day, family outing, or solo relaxation. Worth the visit for sure!

Used bookstores are awesome and The Book Barn is at the pinnacle of awesomeness! There are three locations within about a mile of one another, but the "barn" is the jewel in the Book Barn crown. Basement has lots of American history, top floor has young adult and kids, and the main floor has a mix. The other two locations have a smaller run of bookshelves but lots of diverse selections. Staff at all locations were very helpful and friendly, and prices were very reasonable.

I was visiting Connecticut last year and saw this bookstore on Instagram and knew I had to visit. This place is so unique and fun to wander through! There are little spots with books all over the place, and the main store has cats. The fiction room was tightly packed with people and books but it was so cozy and I enjoyed browsing through it. The workers all seemed very nice and friendly though I didn't actually interact with any of them personally. The books were a pretty good price, I just didn't find anything that was for me (I'm a very picky reader these days). I would definitely go back if I ever visit the area again!

Books, books, books galore! You'll find tons of great used books, and I mean tons! There were people w/ wagons picking up bounties of books. The sights are pretty cool there too. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the are. They also have 2 other stores w/ more books.

There's a fantastic selection of books for every genre, and the stores are very well organized (books are organized by subgenre and alphabetized) ! The books are reasonably priced and the staff are very knowledgeable about recommend books and helping you find books they have in stock.

Great used book store. Huge inventory with a good turnover rate. Don't forget to check out the downtown location, too!

I'm not into reading, but I still found the Book Barn to be an awesome CT gem! Keep in mind that they have three locations (Main, Downtown, and Chapter Three) with the main location being the one I would suggest (it has the largest collection of books, along with other activities). There's a main building (basement and two floors) filled with THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of used books for sale, as well as multiple sheds/barns surrounding the main building with THOUSANDS of more books. They also have many tables/benches to sit outside, outdoor chess and checkers tables, and a couple goats that you can feed (small bags of carrots are available for 25 cents each in the store). There's a fairy garden that you can walk through and a few play areas for kids as well Even if you're not a bookworm, this is still a cool spot to stop by (especially on a warm sunny day) and relax!

i LOVE it here! it's pretty big, there's a huge variety of books to choose from and the staff was super kind! I ended up picking up 4 books for SUCH a good price. they also have goats!! as well as cats that roam the premesis (i didn't see any this time, but i hope the next time i go, i will!). you can definitely spend hours here, there are small area you can sit and hang out, read, play chess, etc. it's super kid friendly as well, there's a section of Kid's books, wagons to use to get around, & tricycles!

If you're ever in the small town of Niantic Connecticut, you must check out The Book Barn. This is a dreamland for anyone who appreciates books or literature. There are so, so many books, thousands of books for anyone, of any interest. They are categorized by generic genre, kids, new arrivals, dollar books, mystery, fiction, etc... walking through these books is a lot of fun, it's like a maze. Whoever I have arrived with is now lost somewhere in the books, and now I'm talking to my self. Every book I have picked up, is in pristine condition. This is a great place to pick up books for your classroom library, to replace the classics that have seen better days or to add something new and exciting to the collection. Each kid's book is $1.00. The adult paperbacks are $4.00 each. The only minor complaint I have is, it's been difficult for me to find a specific book any time I've gone looking for one. Even where they're categorized by author. It's best to go without expectations, and see what you can find. If you have an unlimited amount of time to sort through books, there are two more stores of The Book Barn, all on the same street. This is a must stop for me every time I'm in Niantic. In the words of Dr Seuss .. "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."

Awesome place. Definitely worth the visit. Great selection of all kinds of books. And there's two other of their locations on the same road right in the area close by. Each one sells different genres, so don't be disappointed if you don't see what you're looking for. It might be at one of their other locations! All close by! The prices are great and it makes me feel better buying books secondhand rather than brand new. The service is great and everyone is so helpful! And if you're lucky you might get to see some adorable animals!

Fantastic spot, can't recommend highly enough. The selection is incredible, the staff is from and knowledgeable, and the prices are very fair. Go!

I was visiting family in Connecticut when we came about this place. I thought was a very unique place where you can buy and sell books. I can't speak much on how much they buy your books for but they have a variety of books you can look through. You can walk around the place inside and outside small buildings to see if anything interests you. I really liked they had places you can entertain your kids with as well. Overall a cool place to visit for people that love books

Overall an interesting place, I think my expectations outweighed my experience. It is a very cool concept and an interesting visit for those that like to browse used books, but many of them have been impacted by moisture and the elements. It is worth a visit and I love that they are committed to the magic of finding a forgotten read, just begin with the right mindset.

This is one of the best kept secrets in NJ. If you love books, and cheap-go here. As long as you can deal with a barn style atmosphere, no thrills and volunteers who are simply amazing-you'll be good. I love to thrift too, and. So attached is a well organized, well priced thrift store. In addition they do have intermittent sales, on facebook that can save you even more. If you don't thrift or read, I do believe you might skip out with at least one unusual item for less than 5.00.

I went to their main location and man was I impressed. Tons of books, in different buildings. A little goat farm there with various displays and murals along the property. There are other sites from the main location as well which I did not get to. One day I will. But if you are into used bookstores you could spend hours here and get a good read to take home.

I've been wanting to go here for quite sometime, it's a drive from where I live, but we all needed some new books and we had some to part with, they offer credit or a check on the spot for books they feel they can sell. Off we go for a day trip! They have a main store and two other building close by, it's a all well mapped out with a brochure telling you where each genre is located. The staff were all very helpful and lovely. We found a ton of books today and will definitely be going back for more. Great prices and most of the books are in great shape, many brand new. Very interesting, fun place. Bibliophiles dream place! Locally we had lunch at East Coast Tacos and went to a cute ice cream place - reviews of those as well. Rocky Neck Beach is very close by, it's a great place to go after the beach or vice versa! Book Barn hrs are 11-6.

I love this place, they have so many books to choose from and the vibes are super cute. The books are not expensive either and the staff are really helpful.

My husband grew up going to Book Barn and he's been telling me about it for a decade. I finally got to go last week and was in paradise. Absolutely amazing place--books, cats, and goats! What more can you ask for?

I went to the main Book Barn store for the first time and loved walking around it! There are so many different stands of books inside and outside. It was an enjoyable experience. I do wish the books were a little more organized though since the Book Barn doesn't have a place to look up to see if they have the book in stock. I also sold books. I had many in very good condition but they seem to just give you the same amount no matter what, based on opinion. They did not count how many books I had after they selected which ones they wanted. I'm not sure if I would sell my very good quality books there again unless I knew how much I would be getting. This is also a great place to take kids because they have toys outside and the staff is friendly!

The Book Barn is my favorite best kept secret that's almost no longer a secret. This could be due to viral TikToks that I've seen boast about this place. I have been coming to The Book Barn since I was a little kid. I vividly remember how we would go down the street to Rocky Neck State Beach and have ourselves a beach day. Then, we would pack up all of our stuff and head to the barn so we could find new summer reading material and get lunch downtown. This has been an annual tradition (sometimes weekly) for my mom and me. I think I have been making these trips since I was seven and it's awesome to watch the expansion the barn has undertaken. My favorite has always been the Hades area. I absolutely love getting lost there. All three stores are easy to get to and are all on the same road. You can make a whole day out of it and still probably not see/do/eat everything the Book Barn has to offer. You can always bring in books for credit as well. In all the years I've been coming here I've only traded books a handful of times, but I always mean to!

We loved coming here for the day! It was huge and I could've spent the day here but my husband isn't as big as a reader as I am.

Ok, you're bored on a Saturday. What to do? There are no bookstores in the N.L. County area... but wait! There's the book barn! And nothing can beat that! In the Main St. Store, quite near the cinema, they have a "second location" where the (not too old, no Burnett books here) are all stored, and you can find treasure you want to share with your kids or your friend's kids, whatever age. I was happily grabbing a few books from my childhood the last time I was there! They also have sci-fi, every stripe and fantasy. I'm good with the little store, but the main store is my first love! All the old books, a few very very old ones. From the early 1700's and once one from much earlier- but those were (I think) taken to New York, or put online. Anyway the kids will love running around the place, there are lovely little stores all over in 'outbuildings' fiction, biographies, and cookbooks (of course) as well as sets of Shakespeare, Kipling, and even bibles. I once bought a copy of the book those Scientologists in lower management use.. I was interested in comparative Religion, and it seemed to give away quite a few secrets!! Spend a hot afternoon strolling around and who knows, you may find a book that will keep you occupied for the next few days! Oh, there are a number of working cats in the main store. They are adorable but remember they also perform the removal of pests old books can bring, so ask before you let one out!

Visited the Book Barn today and had an amazing time! Large selection of books for everyone and amazing prices (most books are only a dollar). Plenty of spaces both inside and outside to explore, plus the cutest goats, cats, and littl water features.

For casual and avid readers alike, The Book Barn is a truly magical place to visit. There's not a single other place where shopping for books turns into an actual adventure. Their several themed buildings and beautiful gardens take you on a real journey, it's so immersive. They've also got some lovely cats and goats! Fun for kids and adults, a must visit if you're in the area. The staff are friendly and books fairly priced, I highly recommend dropping by.

Book Barn is Connecticut's equivalent to Strand Book Store in Manhattan, as both are a bibliophile's nearly bottomless treasure chest! Indeed, BB has three different sites of nearly bottomless treasure chests. Unfortunately, the main Barn is dark, damp, dusty, and musty, so if you have respiratory allergies you are advised to wear a face mask there, covid or not. And while you're at it, dig into your spelunker gear and wear a headlamp, because some of the corners and bottom shelves are so dark you must strain your eyes to read the book spines. The annex called the Book Barn Downtown store is my favorite, for four reasons. First, because it is bright and sunny and clean and dry inside. Second, because the Religion and Philosophy books there are shelved where most of them belong, right next to, if not with, the Children's Books and Comics. And third, because I can read, but I can't count. A cautionary note about selling books to them. Be prepared to return home with half or more of your unsold books. Lugging heavy books from home to car to BB and back again to car and back again to home rarely can be worth the time and effort. Leave your paperbacks at home, bring only your hardbounds, and you will more likely sell most or all you bring to them. And while you should not expect to make a fortune, their payout is actually quite reasonable.

My family and I had a great experience at the book barn today! I have always enjoyed the book barn, but today I fell in love with it. I witnessed the staff handle a difficult situation with tact and integrity and I support it 100%. I will tell everyone I know what I witnessed there today and I will be back as often as possible with friends. Thank you for setting an awesome example today.

If you are near Niantic CT, put the Book Barn on your list to visit if you love books and give yourself a couple of hours to just browse and enjoy. There are three locations all within 2 miles of each and each location focuses on different categories of books. The main location has the most variety and is the most interesting but definitely visit the other locations. The selection and prices are great and my only criticism is that if you are looking for a specific book, it can be challenging to find. Sometimes they are in order by author and other times they are by subject. Still a "must visit" if you love books.

The most adorable book store concept with humor everywhere. I wish I had the time to be a book worm again, and most of the books are priced at 1 dollar, it's so amazing! If there were things that I'd loved about living in the US, the book barn would definitely be in the Top 10! It portrays a magical space that would be evoked from the pages of the books to be found here, and transports you cats, goats, fishes and all. And then to boot, they even have coffee and tea for free on the premises! Love, love, loved it! Thank you for creating this space!

I loved it here 3 different locations. I visited 2 and ADORED the outdoor location Books for cheap or on the cheaper side and well taken care of So calm inside and a great place to go if you have time to walk around and look at all the books

Kitsch, kitties, and so many great books. I cannot believe I have not been here before and was glad this ended up being my rainy day discovery on a laid back Sunday. This was actually my second book stop of the day. I passed it on the way to the Niantic Public House. My first stop, was their other location (Book Barn - Midtown). There is also a third location, which I did not make it to. All three are on the same road within a span of about a mile. The important thing to know is that all three places have their own genres. At first, I thought I was missing something. Easy to think that because there were books and shelves hidden everywhere here. However, this place is home to their poetry, fiction, war and military, American bios, a very large and impressive selection of teen fiction, and a few other types. The science fiction and horror is at the Midtown location. This is also where people come to sell their books, so even though most of the genres are at their respective locations you do encounter the odd one here or there waiting to be sorted and shipped to the appropriate location. This place is a wonderland of books. They crammed in shelves and spaces wherever they could. It is amazing. There are lots of little pathways with little stands of shelves with the new arrivals along them. Tables and chairs are at various locations as well. One table had a large chess set on it. There was also a basketball hoop and a play kitchen. Something to keep everyone happy. I did see the pen for the goats as well, but did not get to see them. Anyway, the pathways lead to various little huts with the different types of books. There is a poetry hut and there is a large hut full of their fictional works. I was super impressed with the variety of books they had, many in fantastic shape. This was just one hut! The upstairs of the barn is where they had the amazing collection of teen books. Throughout the barn there are cozy, comfy chairs to sit and skim through your potential purchases. I walked out with three books by Emile Zola and two books by Anthony Trollope, all of which are rare finds for me in a bookstore, let alone a used one! I purchased six in total for $25. I was super excited! All in all, a great place with something for everyone. Even if you do not find something you want or need, it is still worth the stop to walk around this unique little spot.

This place is magical. Seriously, just so magical and whimsical and everything that's great about the world. Book Barn is about 2.5 hours away from me, but my boyfriend and I make it a point to come here once a year and make a day out of it. Not only are the prices incredible, there's something there for everybody! Goats, chess, a haunted house, the entrance to Hades, scavenger hunts, sleeping cats, and so much more! I always discover something new when I go. Book Barn feels like home. It's organized chaos at its best! There are a couple of locations spread out through town based on which genre you're looking for, but definitely make it a point to come to this location as well.

The Book Barn is a book store that my family and I visited years ago, yet we all remember it vividly. To disclaim, it is not for those that succumb to animal allergies, as there are many amiable creatures that accompany you as you view the store's expansive selection. These animals consist of rescued cats, goats, calves, etc. One can spend hours appreciating their company alone. If you can overcome the urge to play with the animals before closing time, you will find that the library never ends- science fiction, history, novels, novellas, plays; even subjects as specific as American naval history. Many of these tomes are used, but maintain a credible condition. Conversely, the prices are amazing. When we visited a while back, we got dozens of books for a less than $40; some of these books were rare Harvard edition copies. While other reviewers have noted the lack of decent service, this was not the case for us. The employees were attentive and welcoming. This place is truly a wonderland for intellectuals, farmers, and animal rights activists (never thought I'd write that sentence). Before I end this review, I'd like to give thanks to the Mystic Marriot employee that recommend the place to us.

Beautiful property lots of good finds enjoyed my day Can't wait for next visit to see the other 2 locations

Book Barn is such a fun bookstore to visit! They have a few locations within miles of each other. I found this out when I visited the first location (and found MANY Dean Koontz and Stephen King novels). I heard about goats and asked the guy. He told us about this location so we went right after. When you first get there, it looks like an outdoor book flea market (but better). It's located on someone's property but they completely converted the first house into a book store. They have many stands outside filled with books and extra snacks with ever more books! I mean...books are EVERYWHERE! They also have bikes for kids to ride, goats to feed, and cats hanging around. I adore this location. It just feels right.

The Book Barn is a great place to spend a few hours hunting for books by your favorite author, topic, or just exploring the new arrivals that are in a section named "Ellis Island." There's a whole building for fiction that's arranged by author. One building has cookbooks, landscaping, and a lot of military history. Enter the "Basement" from the outside steps around the back of the main building. It holds travel, history, and biographies. The basement alone is worth the visit. We stopped by The Black Sheep for a late lunch afterward.

Oh my oh my. I've heard people rave about this place but wow I am impressed. First of all- the selection of books is amazing and the prices are also extremely reasonable. Honestly, I usually snag books for my classroom from Savers, but the Book Barn is infinitely better because of the organization and also still is generally cheaper (for kids books at least). Even more importantly, the aesthetic of this place is completely charming. There are multiple places to explore and wander. There are goats and several friendly cats. There are comfy chairs. There is coffee. There is a play ground. Literally I could spend hours here! I went at 8pm (an hour before closing) and my biggest regret is not getting there earlier so I could enjoy it for longer.

A friend recommended this spot to me, I decided to check it out and I loved it! The parking lot was tight but there was an employee who was super helpful. It's an adorable indoor/outdoor property, tons of little structures, and they're all absolutely crammed with books! There's gardens, little paths to follow, signs directing you to the different genres, adorable!! Talk about getting lost in a bookstore! I wandered around for 2 hours, grabbed a few gems, and left with a big nerdy smile on my face! It's right by the Clinton outlets, what a great secondhand bookstore!!

This place honestly warms my heart. It is a book worm paradise. There are thousands and thousands of used books in a picturesque setting. There's a quaint free coffee station, kitties napping everywhere, and goats! Most books are between $1 and $5. During my last visit I found some books in my "must read list" that had come out recently and would regularly cost $16 at Barnes and Noble. I literally cannot leave this place without at least 5 GOOD books that deserve to be loved again! A+++++

Awesome place with just about any book in print worth reading. Cool grounds for the family and something for everyone. I ended up getting several books on my first visit, they also purchase books on the spot. You'll enjoy the wandering buildings and interesting layout as it adds to the character of the place. The owner is there if your inclined to ask about anything, he and the staff were very friendly and welcoming. Enjoy your day!

Love books? Go to the Book Barn. Love free coffee? Go to the Book Barn. Love cats? Book Barn. Goats? Book Barn. Awesome puns? Yup, you guessed it! Book Barn! This is the main location. (There are several.) Pick up a brochure to help you see what location has what kind of books, which are very well organized. Glen, Jim and Darcy are three of my favorite staff members who are always so kind to me, but everyone is really delightful. Things to note: This location has port-o-lets but the others have indoor bathrooms. The Last Page has amazing books on nature and gardening. The January sale, when everything is 30% off, is a great time to visit! Bundle up, as some of the book kiosks are outside!

It was our first time at the book barn and it was a relative good experience. We went to sell and browse. As it was a busy Saturday, we were originally told they couldn't check our books because they couldn't unload them due to their buying policy. A spot opened up and we were able to park and sell. They took about 1/3 of the books that we brought. If you take store credit, they give you 20% more. They have 3 locations on the same street that specialize in different genres. You can only sell at the main barn. To best experience, bring a list of books that you are looking for so you aren't overwhelmed by the selection.

My kids were excited to take a trip to the Book Barn to get some books for summer reading . I have an 8 year old with special needs and severe respiratory issues who is unable to wear a mask . Upon entry , we were stopped by the horrible owner who said my son could not enter without a mask on. I calmly explained that he has a medical condition and special needs and is unable to wear a mask . He continued to scream at me and my children saying that my son would still get someone sick and he didn't care if he had special needs he is not to enter his business . My son was devastated and cried on the way home , not understanding why that man would yell like that and not let him inside . Needless to say we will never return and I will tell anyone and everyone who will listen what a disgusting human the owner is who discriminates against our special needs community . And I will be filing a complaint with the ADA.